hostess

UK: /ˈhəʊstəs/ US: /ˈhoʊstɪs/ ,(hō′stis)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

host•ess /ˈhoʊstɪs/   n. [countable]

1. a woman who is a host.
2. a woman who is employed in a restaurant or the like to take guests to their seats.
3. a woman working for an airline who sees to the passengers' comfort.

v. [~ + object]

4. to be or serve as hostess to or at:
   hostessing the party.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

host•ess  (hō′stis), n. 

1. a woman who receives and entertains guests in her own home or elsewhere.
2. a woman employed in a restaurant or place of amusement to receive, seat, or assist patrons.
3. Show Business a woman who acts as master of ceremonies, moderator, or interviewer for a television or radio program;
   host.
4. a woman employed by an airline, railroad, bus company, etc., to see that passengers are comfortable throughout a trip, usually receiving and seating them, and sometimes serving them refreshments.
5. a woman who manages a resort or hotel or who directs its social activities.
6. Music and Dance See taxi dancer. 

v.t. 

7. to be the hostess at (a reception, dinner, etc.):
   She will hostess a shower for the new bride.
8. to act as hostess at, to, or for:
   She volunteered to hostess the garden club next season.

v.i. 

9. to perform the duties or functions of a hostess.

• Old French. See host¹, -ess
• Middle English (h)ostesse 1250–1300

host′ess-ship′, n. 
Usage

See -ess. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

hostess / ˈhəʊstɪs/ noun

1. a woman acting as host
2. a woman who receives and entertains patrons of a club, restaurant, etc
3. See air hostess